The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided go green by tapping solar energy for power requirements at the fast growing Tiruchi international airport to the extent possible to cut down mounting power bills in the long run. The plan is to establish a Roof Top Grid Connected 140 kWp Solar Photo Voltaic Power Plant at an estimated cost of ₹97.08 lakh at the Tiruchi airport which has been witness to rising passenger and freight traffic over the years.
The AAI has already set the process in motion by floating tender for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of solar power plant at the airport which has direct connectivity to select destinations in South and South East Asia and West Asia. The AAI has aimed to complete the work in four months time upon identifying the agency. The authorities have already identified the site for putting up the solar plant at the airport where passenger traffic peaks in the morning and late night hours daily due to bunching of overseas flights to different destinations. Airport sources told The Hindu that the proposed solar photo voltaic plant would be established atop the existing sub station on the huge airport premises. The tender formalities relating to identification of the successful bidder was expected to be completed soon, the official said adding that the plant was likely to be commissioned in October.
Power generated through the proposed solar plant would be fed into the existing supply system. The State-owned Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited supplies power to the airport.
The solar energy generated would entirely be used for in-house consumption to the extent possible including offices, car parking area and other areas, a senior official said. Harnessing green energy would in turn minimise power taken from TANGEDCO and thereby cut down mounting electricity bills in the longer run, the official added. The non-metro Tiruchi airport is one of the big customers of the TANGEDCO here. The airport alone pays over ₹50 lakh per month to the TANGEDCO for using power round-the-clock for various areas inside including the huge terminal building, old airport building and other vital spots.
